The kids with flowers became self-conscious when the royals arrived, and didn't want to hand over their flowers. Sonja managed to talk them more calm, and eventually got her flowers. The kids' comments afterwards: "I thought the King had such a nice face. I wanted to give the flowers to him."

A gallery of the celebrations in Stavanger as it has been named alongside with Liverpool as "The European Capitals of Culture in 2008" can be found here:- Stavanger celebrations begin - Aftenposten.no . Lots of colourful costumes. Enjoy.